Latest On Matt Harvey, Raisel Iglesias

3:20pm: A source disputes the reporting from the Nationals’ perspective, per Chelsea Janes and Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post (Twitterlinks). The Washington organization does not have interest in Harvey and “seems unlikely” to be a real bidder on Iglesias, according to the WaPo duo. The Nats are said to have shown some interest in Iglesias as a reliever, but that came before they acquired Kelvin Herrera.

10:07am: The Nationals have been in touch with the Reds recently and are eyeing right-handers Matt Harvey and Raisel Iglesias, in particular, according to Jon Heyman of Fancred (Twitter link). Perhaps most interestingly, Heyman notes that several clubs are intrigued by the idea of using Iglesias as a starter.

Harvey, 29, has undeniably raised his stock since joining the Reds in a trade nearly two months ago in a trade that sent Devin Mesoraco to New York. Through 53 2/3 innings out of the Cincinnati rotation, he’s worked to a 3.86 ERA with 6.7 K/9, 2.0 BB/9, 1.17 HR/9 and a 43 percent ground-ball rate. More encouraging than the bottom-line numbers is the fact that Harvey has steadily improved his velocity over the course of his tenure in Cincinnati; he’s averaged nearly 95 mph on his fastball over his past five starts and is averaging 94.2 mph on his heater as a Red after averaging 92.6 mph as a Met.

Harvey would be a pure rental for any team that acquires him, as he’s slated to hit free agency at season’s end. From the Nationals’ vantage point, though, it’s not clear he’d be a definitive upgrade over their in-house options. The Nats’ current top three of Max Scherzer, Tanner Roark and Gio Gonzalez is a strong trio, and while it’s not known exactly when Stephen Strasburg will rejoin the team, he did recently throw a bullpen session. If Strasburg’s absence proves to be lengthy, the need for a starter would be more pronounced. If he can return in the reasonably near future, though, it’s tougher to call Harvey a demonstrative upgrade over current fifth starter Jeremy Hellickson, who has turned in a perhaps surprisingly effective season to date (2.63 ERA, 7.1 K/9, 1.5 BB/9, 3.51 FIP, 3.55 xFIP through 48 innings).

As for Iglesias, he stands out as a reasonable target for virtually any team with postseason aspirations. The 28-year-old has stepped up as Cincinnati’s closer over the past two seasons and pitched quite well, regularly pitching more than an inning per appearance. Since Opening Day 2017, he’s pitched 112 2/3 innings (97 appearances) and posted a 2.48 ERA with 10.6 K/9, 3.2 BB/9 and 0.8 HR/9. Beyond that, he’s controlled for three more years after the 2018 season, making him a long-term piece for any club to add to its staff — be it in the bullpen or rotation.

The Nationals’ bullpen is much improved from a year ago, as they’ve since added Sean Doolittle, Ryan Madson, Brandon Kintzler and Kelvin Herrera, to say nothing of the surprisingly dominant Justin Miller. But Iglesias would nonetheless further deepen an increasingly productive relief corps for manager Dave Martinez or, perhaps, serve as an upside play to plug into the fifth spot in the Washington rotation. If that proved to be a role in which he could thrive, he’d give the team a valuable option there with Gonzalez and Hellickson set to hit free agency at season’s end and Roark controlled only through 2019.

It doesn’t make sense, BUT teams do it ALL THE TIME. A 60 or 75 inning a year pitcher is fetching a ransom in trade returns the past few years. Iglesias is one of the best (top 10 in all of baseball) closer/setup RPs and can go multiple innings when needed. He also is signed VERY cheaply at 5.7 mill per year (relatively speaking) for two more years after this year and that adds ALOT of value for a team acquiring him.

This is NOT a stud RP rental, thus the expected high upside return. Getting anything less than a top 2 or 3 prospect from another organization (if not their top) would be a huge miss by the Reds FO.

Not sure Harvey adds much to a trade, but Iglesias should fetch one of their top 3 prospects (Robles, Soto or their best SP prospect). I can’t imagine they’d even think about trading Soto now, but you never know, they may think they’re selling high and snookering the Reds into leaving Robles alone.

Robles injury is a bit worrisome, but any high upside talent for a three inning a week RP is a win for the Reds. As long as they don’t get duped into taking quantity over quality (three mediocre prospects instead of one top tier prospect), then I would be content.

I think the Reds learned their lesson when they tried to convert Chapman into a starter. If a guy’s a successful closer, you leave him there. Let the receiving team try to convert Iglesias if they want to, but good lick with that.

With the way the Reds have been playing id ask for a kings ransom if they decided to trade them both. Harvey is having success with the Reds so he should try staying put for his mental state and sign an extention. Would like to see where the Reds end up this year if they keep playing like this.

Mikeyank you idiot, you always commented on Harvey being garbage. You are such a tool it isn’t funny. Well I guess he funny part is you can’t seem to see it or figure it out and EVERYONE else does lol. Keep on keeping on you silly silly boy.

Now that’s a great idea! Reds send Iglesias, Harvey, and Bailey to WAS for Eric Fedde and Brandon Kintzler. It would be worth it for CIN to take less than Soto or Robles just to get rid of Bailey and his contract.

Heck I’d throw Bailey and $3m of his next year’s into the mix (the Reds pay the rest) just to get him out of town. Not sure the Nationals would really need Harvey, but if they want to take him – Iglesias can tuck each one under an arm and head over to the Nats tomorrow. As for what comes back…I’d be happy with Soto and Kyle McGowan

Maybe the yankees can get iglesias since there aren’t many top flight starters available. I don’t really know where the reds are lacking in prospect depth position wise, but maybe clint frazier and some other propects.

It’s not “dumping” him. Frazier has no future on this team. I don’t understand why most yankee fans are obsessed with him and don’t understand that. You’re living in a fantasy world if you think frazier is going to get regular playing time this year or even next year

“You’re living in a fantasy world if you think Frazier is going to get regular playing time this year or even next year” he’s actually not because they may not decide to exercise Gardner’s option leaving Left open. That of course is based on whether he’s traded or not.

Don’t think they really want Iglesias…The Yankees have one of the best bullpens in MLB.

They need a solid 1,2 starter to be a backbone with Severino or else the bullpen will be moot….

Also at this point I don’t think Andujar is going any where because there isn’t a Verlander-type worth it. DeGrom is up there but it would only be Andujar and maybe a AA type, Adams might be the second prospect but that’s all that would be in that package. And the Mets are surely going to ask for double that….

Then the Reds should keep him. 3 1/2 years of a cost-controlled back-end of the bullpen reliever who is averaging an ERA+ of 170 per year (70% better than league average) should absolutely net an overwhelming return. For reference, the Cubs gave up an equally touted prospect (Torres), their no. 7 prospect (McKinney), a 28 y/o ML reliever (Warren) and a lottery ticket (Crawford) for 3 months of Chapman. If I am the Reds, I keep Iglesias if the offer is anything less than Robles plus at least one other Nats top 10 prospect.

I agree, there are few Chapman-like comps out there. But what relatively you lose in talent, you make up in years of control (not to mention the possibility of converting him to a starter). The Chapman trade comp would be something like Robles, Will Crowe, Tim Collins and Armond Upshaw. Iglesias should net at least something like Robles and Romero. If they want Harvey, they need to add a lottery ticket prospect like Upshaw. Again, if the Nats balk, then Reds should just keep Iglesias.

I think a package built around Voth would fit the Reds nicely he was on the fast track to make the Nationals rotation but had some set backs and has seemed to regain his composure and maybe rebuilt value back up.

He has been as high as 6 in the Nationals system and those boards have not been updated and were based on his worst season of his professional career, while he is not going to be a top 100 prospect ever at this point he is a lot more than a 23rd ranked prospect.

Why would the Reds do that??? The only reason to trade a guy like Iglesias is to bring in an immediate impact player, that can help them next season through 2025. That is about the run with the current roster, and top prospects that are coming up. You don’t trade a valuable piece that we have control of through 2020 for a reclamation PROSPECT. LOL wake up!

Position wise, baring an injury, the Reds are set for next 2-3 years. They need starting pitching. I don’t think all of Fedde, Romero and Crowe would be enough for Iglesias and Harvey. I’d like to hear how a trade between these 2 teams to bring SP’s back to the Reds can be a fit. I’m starting to think that the salary dumping Bailey idea my not be as far fetched as I originally thought. Do the Nats have payroll room?

As a Reds fan I would want maybe a trade with another team unless Robles and maybe Fedde or Seth Romero . What the reds truly need is pitching and mlb ready. So if Robles is untouchable I would hit up the Indians or Stros

If I am Matt Harvey, I am seriously considering staying with the Reds. He is thriving in the smaller media market and the hitter’s ballpark is not really hurting him. If I am the Reds, I would seriously consider it also. He would be a much better veteran leader for the young rotation over a very overrated Homer Bailey. On top of that, he is still fairly young and has tremendous upside. I would try maybe a 3/30 or 4/40 offer, it’s potentially a bargain for someone with Harvey’s potential, but not so huge that it would cripple you if his injuries prevent a return to glory.

The way Harvey has pitched so far is well worth $10 million a year. If Harvey is willing to take that the Reds better sign it. The Reds TV guys can be blunt when necessary and they’ve said nothing bad about Harvey.